Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 11
Chapter 156 — द्रव्यशुद्धिः (Dravya-śuddhi) / Purification of Substances
मुखैः प्रस्रवणे वृत्ते मृगयायां सदा शुचि भुक्त्वा क्षुत्वा तथा सुप्त्वा पीत्वा चाम्भो विगाह्य च
mukhaiḥ prasravaṇe vṛtte mṛgayāyāṃ sadā śuci bhuktvā kṣutvā tathā suptvā pītvā cāmbho vigāhya ca
When excretions flow from the body’s orifices, and during hunting, one should always remain pure; likewise after eating, after sneezing, after sleeping, after drinking, and after immersing in water.
Lord Agni (narrating purificatory and conduct rules to Vasiṣṭha, per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Ayurveda","secondary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","practical_application":"Daily hygiene protocol (dinacharya) and situational purity rules to reduce contamination and maintain ritual/social cleanliness after bodily functions and common activities.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Occasions Requiring Shauca After Bodily Acts (Dinacharya)","lookup_keywords":["dinacharya","shauca","achamana","bodily orifices","post-activity purity"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates common moments (excretions, hunting, eating, sneezing, sleeping, drinking, bathing) after which one should re-establish cleanliness. Useful as a quick checklist for daily regimen and ritual readiness."}
Concept: External purity (bāhya-śauca) as a support for inner discipline and ritual eligibility.
Application: Use as a behavioral rule-set: after specified acts, re-cleanse (wash, change, ācamana as appropriate) before worship, study, or communal contact.
Khanda Section: Ayurveda / Health-regimen (Dinacharya and Shaucha)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined householder performing cleansing acts after daily activities—washing after bodily discharge, after eating, after sneezing, after sleep, after drinking, and after bathing/immersion; a subtle inclusion of a hunter returning and purifying.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural style: a serene gṛhastha near a water-pot and riverbank, performing ācamana and washing hands; small vignettes around showing eating, sneezing, sleeping, drinking, and bathing; earthy reds/ochres, bold outlines, sacred calm.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting: central figure with water vessel and conch-like lota, performing ācamana; surrounding medallions depicting the listed activities; rich textiles, gold leaf accents on vessels and borders, devotional domestic setting.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting: instructional composition with labeled mini-scenes (post-meal, post-sneeze, post-sleep, post-drink, post-bath, post-hunt) and the act of cleansing; delicate lines, soft colors, didactic clarity.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: courtly domestic courtyard with a man washing at a basin; side panels show hunting return and bathing in a river; fine architectural detail, naturalistic gestures, subdued palette."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cāmbho = ca + ambhaḥ; other words largely unsandhied in the given pāṭha.
Related Themes: Agni Purana 156 (Shauca/Ahnika context)
FAQs
It lists shaucha (purity) triggers—bodily discharges, hunting, and common activities like eating, sneezing, sleeping, drinking, and bathing—indicating when renewed cleanliness/purificatory attention is required.
Alongside theology and ritual, the Agni Purana preserves practical lifestyle guidance akin to Ayurveda and dharma-shastra, documenting everyday purity norms as part of comprehensive civilizational knowledge.
Maintaining shaucha after impurity-causing acts supports ritual fitness and sattvic discipline, reducing defilement (aśauca) and sustaining eligibility for worship, mantra, and meritorious acts.